C.E. Credit. Maxillary Third Molar Displacement into the Infratemporal Fossa: The Diagnosis and Management of a Rare Dentoalveolar Complication in Routine Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

ABSTRACT

Background

The infratemporal fossa is a space located along the lateral skull into which an upper wisdom tooth can be displaced during the extraction of a maxillary third molar. Although this complication is rare, many patients remain at risk even during a routine outpatient visit with an experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon. To retrieve the displaced wisdom tooth localized inferior and medial to the ipsilateral zygomatic arch, surgical exploration of this space can be done using a variety of techniques described in the literature and in this case.

Case Description

This article presents a case in which a right upper wisdom tooth was apically displaced into the infratemporal fossa. Cone-beam computed tomography aided in verifying the exact position of the third molar and subsequent surgical planning. In this case, an immediate approach was used with minimal intraoral dissection into the posterior maxillary vestibule. In doing so, sufficient access and visibility were established for successful retrieval of the tooth in the same visit by extending the original incision site and without the need for any additional procedures thereafter. This article also offers an overview of potential retrieval options as described by the literature.

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KEYWORDS:

• Third molar
• displacement
• cone beam
• infratemporal fossa
• dissection
• wisdom tooth

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/19424396.2024.2313777

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alexander Litrel

Alexander Litrel, DDS, is a resident doctor graduate of Columbia University (DDS). He is a currently completing his internship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center and received training in general dentistry at Jacobi Medical Center with the completion of general practice residency.

Shahrokh C. Bagheri

Shahrokh C. Bagheri, DMD, MD, FACS, FICD, is a dual doctor graduate of Harvard University (DMD, cum laude, class marshal) and Emory University (MD). He is an internationally recognized surgeon and leader in the field of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS). His current and past positions include Division Chief of Northside Hospital in Atlanta, University faculty appointments, Editorial Board member of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Consultant to American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs.